Know What You’re Paying For

by Staff Blogger | February 9th, 2016

The payment arrangement is one of the most important factors to consider when hiring an attorney. You want a law firm with vast experience and exceptional customer service, but you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it. That’s understandable. You’ve been through a traumatic ordeal and just want someone who’s going to have your back without emptying your pockets at the same time.

Here are 3 things related to fee arrangements you should ask any attorney you’re considering:

Do you charge for the initial consultation? Believe it or not, some firms will charge you by the hour simply to answer some initial questions. This is a red flag right from the start and could indicate additional unexpected fees later on. If a law firm you call mentions consultation fees, you might want to consider calling someone else.

Will you advance the costs for investigators, experts, filing fees, and other expenses? The cost of a personal injury case can be expensive. You want a law firm that is going to cover these necessary costs upfront, so you don’t have any out-of-pocket expenses until your case is settled and you’ve been paid. Some law firms will even help with your medical bills, which can take a great deal of financial strain off of you and your family.

Do you offer a contingency fee arrangement? A contingency fee arrangement basically means the law firm will handle all upfront costs, including attorney fees, until they win or settle your case. If for whatever reason they fail to get you money, you don’t owe them a dime. If you’re going to have your case handled by an attorney, you need to have a contingency fee arrangement.